L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: a pilot study

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#administration-oral #adult #biomarkers #biopsy #carnitine

L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: a pilot study

Ciacci et al., 2007 | Dig Liver Dis | Rct

Citation

Ciacci C, Peluso G, ... Calvani M. L-Carnitine in the treatment of fatigue in adult celiac disease patients: a pilot study. Dig Liver Dis. 2007-Oct;39(10):922-8

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is common in celiac disease. L-Carnitine blood levels are low in untreated celiac disease. L-Carnitine therapy was shown to improve muscular fatigue in several diseases. AIM: To evaluate the effect of L-carnitine treatment in fatigue in adult celiac patients. METHODS: Randomised double-blind versus placebo parallel study. Thirty celiac disease patients received 2 g daily, 180 days (L-carnitine group) and 30 were assigned to the placebo group (P group). The patients underwent clinical investigation and questionnaires (Scott-Huskisson Visual Analogue Scale for Asthenia, Verbal Scale for Asthenia, Zung Depression Scale, SF-36 Health Status Survey, EuroQoL). OCTN2 levels, the specific carnitine transporter, were detected in intestinal tissue. RESULTS: Fatigue measured by Scott-Huskisson Visual Analogue Scale for Asthenia was significantly reduced in the L-carnitine group compared with the placebo group (p=0.0021). OCTN2 was decreased in celiac patients when compared to normal subjects (-134.67% in jejunum), and increased after diet in both celiac disease treatments. The other scales used did not show any significant difference between the two celiac disease treatment groups. CONCLUSION: L-Carnitine therapy is safe and effective in ameliorating fatigue in celiac disease. Since L-carnitine is involved in muscle energy production its decreased absorption due to OCTN2 reduction might explain muscular symptoms in celiac disease patients. The diet-induced OCTN2 increase, improving carnitine absorption, might explain the L-carnitine treatment efficacy.

Key Findings

Fatigue measured by Scott-Huskisson Visual Analogue Scale for Asthenia was significantly reduced in the L-carnitine group compared with the placebo group (p=0.0021). OCTN2 was decreased in celiac patients when compared to normal subjects (-134.67% in jejunum), and increased after diet in both celiac disease treatments. The other scales used did not show any significant difference between the two celiac disease treatment groups.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population adult celiac
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers
  • Biopsy
  • Carnitine
  • Celiac Disease
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Fatigue
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Jejunum
  • Male
  • Organic Cation Transport Proteins
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality of Life
  • Solute Carrier Family 22 Member 5
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin B Complex

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: carnitine-fatigue

Provenance

  • PMID: 17693145
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09